Venue: Old Trafford
Date: 13/01/13
Kick-Off: 13:30
Liverpool will be without defender Jose Enrique once again as they head to Old Trafford for a tough away fixture against last year’s Premier League runners-up, Manchester United.
Enrique is side-lined with a hamstring injury, which means youngster Andre Wisdom could start on Sunday.
Wisdom is likely to play at right back, with Glen Johnson on the left.
In the centre of defence, Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel will expect to be recalled to the starting XI after being rested for last weekend’s FA Cup win over Mansfield. Skipper Steven Gerrard will also return to the side.
Luis Suarez stole the headlines following Liverpool’s 2-1 victory at Mansfield, as a handball preceded the Uruguayan’s winning goal. The incident led to every Liverpool fan’s favourite Scotsman, Alex Ferguson, claiming that Suarez is “laden with controversy”.
Given the former Ajax striker’s history with Manchester United, Liverpool will hope that Suarez lets his football do the talking on Sunday. A goal from Suarez could be crucial if the Reds are to secure a victory, with the Uruguayan’s brace against Sunderland taking his league tally to 13 goals this season.
New Liverpool signing Daniel Sturridge could also make his first league appearance for the club after marking his debut at Mansfield with a goal. However Nuri Sahin will play no part in the game after Liverpool cancelled his loan deal, allowing the Real Madrid midfielder to spend the rest of the season on loan at his former club Dortmund.
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At the other end of the pitch, Liverpool’s defence will have to work hard to stop Robin van Persie from scoring – the former Arsenal striker is the league’s top scorer with 16 goals.
United’s other star striker, Wayne Rooney, remains out with a knee injury, but the Reds will have to be wary of Mexican forward Javier Hernandez, who has scored a goal every 82.3 minutes this season. Midfield duo Nani and Anderson could both return for United on Sunday after being sidelined with hamstring problems.
Liverpool’s last meeting against United was in September, when a late van Persie penalty helped the Red Devils to a 2-1 victory at Anfield. The Reds will have their work cut out if they are to stop their bitter rivals from doing the double over them as they have lost seven of their last eight league visits to Old Trafford – the exception was a 4-1 win in March 2009.
United have won eight of their last nine league games, drawing the other, and the Red Devils sit seven points clear at the top of the table going into the weekend.
Liverpool are in good form though, having won five of their last seven league fixtures, and Brendan Rodgers will hope his side can secure at least a point. A positive result is a must if the Reds are serious about breaking back into the top four this season.
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